Greenpeace is taking legal action against the Government in a final stand to stop seismic testing off the Taranaki coast.

Greenpeace said that the Amazon Warrior needs a permit from DOC under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in order to seismic blast in the blue whale habitat.

The announcement was made at a rally held at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

Greenpeace campaigner Kate Simcock said anyone undertaking activities that could disturb marine mammals must seek a permit.

She says there is clear evidence that seismic exploration disturbs and even injuries whales, with the Amazon Warrior set to fire blasts every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day for up to three months.

The Government approved the Schlumberger-operated Amazon Warrior's application under the Crown Minerals Act to search for oil along the Taranaki coast last week.

The decision has been heavily protested by iwi and Taranaki locals with a march held through the streets of New Plymouth on Saturday and a petition to parliament gathering 10,000 signatures in a week.

The Amazon Warrior is currently berthed in Golden Bay, Nelson.

- NZ Newswire